LAS VEGAS — A’ja Wilson’s teammates rose from the bench and applauded as they joined fans at Michelob Ultra Arena on their feet. The in-game announcer’s voice burst through the cheers to acknowledge the moment.
None of it broke Wilson’s focus. The Las Vegas Aces star still had another free throw to make.
With her previous shot at the charity stripe, the four-time league MVP became the only player in WNBA history to record two 1,000-point seasons. She was the first player to accomplish the feat in 2024.
Wilson, 30, hit the milestone with 3:39 remaining in the second quarter of a game against the Seattle Storm on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Similar to when she made history the first time, Wilson only responded to the cheers with quick nods as she clapped twice
and backpedaled to get back on defense.
THE M'OMENT 🤩
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 21, 2026
ICYMI: A'ja Wilson becomes the only player in WNBA history to record multiple 1,000-point seasons and remains the fastest to hit the milestone in 39 games. 👏@WNBA // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/h5YEGXaCSM
It was fitting that Wilson’s milestone shot was a free throw, as she alsobroke the league record for free-throws made in a single season(259 and counting in 37 games) during the Aces’ win over the Storm on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The free throw record was previously held by Wilson’s now-teammate, Jewell Loyd, who made 254 free throws in 38 games while playing for Seattle during the 2023 season.
Although Wilson’s only comment regarding the free throw record was a sarcastic nod to critics who claim she has a “special whistle,” Aces coach Becky Hammon described how the free throw numbers speak to Wilson’s excellence.
“(It) just means that she's a handful,” Hammon said. “I also think her ability to now shoot the 3 has really just made her that more difficult to guard off the dribble, so now she can put the ball on the floor. And obviously, people are always throwing double and triple teams at her. But the ability to put the ball on the floor so well, and finish with either hand, it really makes her a tough guard, especially off a live catch.”
Wilson is the reigning league MVP and is the betting favorite to win a fifth such honor, which would be her third straight.
Mitchell and Wilson battle for highest-scoring WNBA season
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell reached 1,001 points in 40 games this season, becoming the second player in WNBA history to reach the milestone.
Wilson remains the fastest to the feat, as she reached 1,000 points in 37 games two years ago.
Mitchell bested Wilson in a separate mark on Friday, Sept. 18, when she broke the WNBA single-season scoring record(1,021 points in 38 games) set by Wilson in 2024.
There’s still a chance for Wilson to reclaim that record; she leads the league with an average of 26.1 points per game. Wilson missed three games this season due to a lower leg injury and load management.
Mitchell currently has 1,056 points over 42 games with two contests remaining in the Fever’s regular season, both of which are against the No. 1 seeded Minnesota Lynx.
Wilson and the Aces will face the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks in their final games of the campaign; two teams who were already eliminated from the postseason.
Whether its Wilson, Mitchell or anyone else, records will continue to be broken in the WNBA as the regular-season continues to extend. The league increased from 40 games to 44 in 2025 and will go to 50 games in 2027.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A'ja Wilson makes WNBA history with second career 1,000-point season
